Apparatus for piercing a container

ABSTRACT

Container-piercing apparatus, wherein an inwardly tapered cup member is provided with an opening into the innermost region thereof for admitting a piercing member. The cup and the piercing member are supported for movement of one relative to the other so that the last-mentioned member can be admitted through the inner opening of the cup in a direction enabling engagement of the piercing member tip with a container received in the cup. Support of the piercing member and the cup for movement along a path transverse to the foregoing direction is provided so that the piercing member tip can be centered with respect to a predetermined location on the container as the container is received in the cup. For conveying fluid from or to a pierced container, the piercing member includes a chamber and a pair of spaced openings which communicate with such chamber.

United States atent [1 1 3,688,399 Sept. 5, 1972 Mengel [54] APPARATUSFOR PIERCING A CONTAINER [72] Inventor: Lloyd A. Mengel, Fairport, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N.Y.

[22] Filed: March 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 120,017

[52] US. Cl. ..30/16, 141/329, 222/83 [51] Int. Cl. ..B67b 7/24 [58]Field of Search ..30/5.5, 16; 214/305;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 497,698 5/1893 Weston..30/16 755,789 3/1904 Norton ..30/16 1,498,301 6/1924 Saari et a1..30/16 1,789,729 1/1931 Coyle ..30/5.5 2,913,821 11/1959 Anderson..30/16 Primary Examiner-Houston E. Bell, Jr. Att0rneyW. H. J. Kline andJohn D. Husser [57] ABSTRACT Container-piercing apparatus, wherein aninwardly tapered cup member is provided with an opening into theinnermost region thereof for admitting a piercing member. The cup andthe piercing member are sup ported for movement of one relative to theother so that the last-mentioned member can be admitted through theinner opening of the cup in a direction enabling engagement of thepiercing member tip with a container received in the cup. Support of thepiercing member and the cup for movement along a path transverse to theforegoing direction is provided so that the piercing member tip can becentered with respect to a predetermined location on the container asthe container is received in the cup. For conveying fluid from or to apierced container, the piercing member includes a chamber and a pair ofspaced openings which communicate with such chamber.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED EP 1912 3.688.399

LLOYD A. MENGEL INVENTOR.

APPARATUS FOR PIERCING A CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Fieldof the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus for piercinga container, and more particularly to containerpiercing apparatus whichprovides for the entrance and exit of fluid from a container pierced bysuch apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art Apparatus for piercing a sealedcontainer and for either conveying fluid from a container so pierced orintroducing fluid into the same, wherein a cup-like receptacle isprovided with a centrally located opening in the innermost regionthereof for admitting a needleshaped probe into the cup, is generallyknown in the art relating to such apparatus. Typically, apparatus ofthis kind is operated by securely seating the neck of a container withinthe cup and then incrementally passing the probe through the inneropening of the cup in a direction such that the probe tip will engageand puncture the seated container. Once punctured, a fluid can beconveyed from the container or introduced therein via the probe which isadapted to function as a fluid conduit.

The cup-like receptacle of container-piercing apparatus heretoforesuggested generally includes an interior surface which is shaped anddimensioned to exteriorly embrace a container neck having apredetermined diameter. Accordingly, a single location on the free endor face of such a container neck when exteriorly embraced by the cupwill be aligned with the inner opening of the cup; whereby, the probetip will be positioned to pierce the container at such location. Shouldthe operator wish to pierce, in the same manner, a container whose neckis of a diameter less than the predetermined diameter then the operatormust manually align the single location on the face of the containerneck with the inner opening of the cup so that the probe tip will againbe positioned to pierce the container at such location. Moreover, shoulda container neck have a diameter which is greater than the predetermineddiameter, piercing of the container by the probe tip may be impossibleas such neck will generally be too wide to be seated within the cup.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for container-piercingapparatus of the foregoing kind but which is improved so that thecontainer-piercing member or probe is self-centering relative to apredetermined location on any one of several containers whichrespectively differ in diameter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefor an object of the presentinvention to provide a novel and improved apparatus for piercing acontainer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedcontainer-piercing apparatus which is adapted for effecting the entranceand exit of fluid from a container pierced by such apparatus.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide animproved container-piercing apparatus which is adapted for use withcontainers which respectively differ in size.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcontainer-piercing apparatus wherein a container-piercing member isself-centering relative to a predetermined location on any one ofseveral containers which respectively differ in size.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,there is disclosed hereinafter a device for piercing a container and foreither conveying fluid from a container so pierced or introducing fluidinto the same. Such embodiment comprises an inwardly tapered hollowdefining member which is provided with an opening into the innermostregion thereof for admitting a piercing member into the hollow. Thehollow defining member and the piercing member are supported formovement of one relative to the other so that the last-mentioned membercan be admitted through the inner opening of the hollow in a directionenabling engagement of the piercing member tip with a container receivedin the hollow. Support of the hollow defining member and the piercingmember for movement along a path transverse to the foregoing directionis provided so that the piercing member tip can be centered with respectto a predetermined location on the container as the container isreceived in the hollow. For conveying fluid from or to a piercedcontainer, the piercing member includes a chamber and a pair of spacedopenings which communicate with such chamber. The chamber opening mostremotely spaced from the piercing member tip can be connected to aconduit, such as flexible tubing, which in turn can be connected to areservoir, for example. Moreover, a sealing element is provided forsealing the chamber opening closest to the piercing member tip so as toprevent undesired leakage or evaporation of residual fluid which mayremain in the member chamber after the container is separated from thepiercing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other featuresand objects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining themwill become more apparent by reference to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment of such invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container-piercing device inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showinga portion of the device cut away to illustrate the interior thereof; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are typical cross section views of the container-piercingdevice depicted in FIG. 1 and a fluid-supporting container, sequentiallyshowing the manner in which a container-piercing member of the device iscentered relative to a predetermined location on such container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a container-piercing devicegenerally indicated by the reference numeral 1. A stand 2 is providedwith an annular opening 3 through which extends an exteriorly threadedcylindrical member 4 of a disc-like element 5. An exteriorly threadedcollar 6 is coupled in the illustrated manner to the cylindrical member4 so as to interlock the disc 5 and the stand 2. Moreover, since thediameter of the stand opening 3 is larger than the diameter of thecylindrical member 4,

the last-mentioned member is movable both horizontally and vertically(as viewed in FIG. 2) within such opening for purposes which will becomesignificant hereinafter.

A barrel housing 7 is secured to the collar 6 by suitable means, such asa fastener 8 for example. Slidably disposed within an annularentranceway 9 to the housing 7, there is shown at H6. 1 a cup-likemember 10 which is shaped to include a substantially conical surface 12which, in turn, defines an inwardly tapered hollow or cavity 11. Furtherlocated within the housing 7 between the collar 6 and the cup-likemember 10 is a helical compression spring 13 which is disposed to urgethe cup outwardly through the housing entranceway 9. However, in orderto limit such outward urging of the cup 10, the housing 7 and the cupare respectively provided with annular shoulder portions 15 and 14 whichabut when the housing and the cup are positioned with respect to eachother in the manner shown by FIG. 1. The cup-like member 10 is alsoprovided with a centrally located opening 16 in the innermost region ofthe tapered hollow 11 for admitting a needle-like probe or piercingmember 17 into such hollow upon sliding movement of the cup further intothe housing 7, see FIGS. 2 and 3. Located inwardly of the cup opening 16and aligned therewith is a tubular extension 18 of the cup 10 whichsupports the probe 17 for entry into the hollow 11.

In order to best understand the present invention, a typical sequence ofoperation will now be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 thecontainer-piercing device 1, as presented so far, is secured to a table19. A sealed container 20 constructed of puncturable material, such as asuitable artificial rubber, is moved along the table 19 in the directiongenerally indicated by the arrow 21 until a neck portion 22 of thecontainer abuts the conical surface 12 of the cup-like member 10. Thecontainer 20 may be manually moved by an operator of the device 1 or maybe automatically moved by suitable mechanical means therefor (notshown). Upon continued movement of the container 20 in the directiongenerally indicated by the arrow 21, the cup 10 will be pushed inwardlyof the housing entranceway 9 against the outward urging of the spring 13so as to be further moved into the housing 7. Since the probe 17 isfixed to the disc-like element 5, the probe will upon such inwardmovement of the cup 10 be incrementally received through the cupextension 18 and into the hollow ll, see FIG. 3. Moreover, since theconical surface 12 is inwardly tapered such surface operates as a cam toshift the container-piercing device 1, with the exception of the stand 2and the table 19, in a direction which is transverse to the directiongenerally indicated by the arrow 2]. In the illustrated embodiment, thistransverse direction is vertically upward as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3.Such camming movement of the device 1 as shown by a comparison of F IGS.2 and 3, operates to raise and thereby center a pointed free end 23 ofthe probe 17 relative to a predetermined location on a face 24 of thecontainer neck 22, and occurs while the container neck is further pushedinto the hollow I1 and the probe is correspondingly received outwardlythrough the cup opening 16. Accordingly, the free end 23 of the probe 17will engage and pierce the container 20 when the container abuts thehousing 7 in the manner illustrated by FIG. 3.

By way of example, the container 20 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 asincluding a collapsible bladder 25 in which is stored a fluid 26.Therefore, upon piercing of the container 20 by the free end 23 of theprobe 17 in the manner previously described, the fluid 26 can beconveyed through a chamber 27 within the probe by first entering achamber opening 28 disposed adjacent the probe end 23 and by thenexiting from the chamber via another chamber opening 29 disposedadjacent a probe end 30 which is opposite to the probe end 23. To conveythe fluid 26 from the probe end 30 to a selected location (not shown), apredetermined length of flexible tubing 31 is preferably connected to atubular extension 32 of the disc-like element 5. In such way, thecontainer-piercing device 1 is adapted to operate as a fluid conduit;however, it will be appreciated that the device 1 while providing forthe conveyance of fluid from the container 20 can similarly be used toprovide for the introduction of fluid into the container.

When the fluid 26 has been completely drained from the container 20 orwhen it is no longer desired to convey any fluid from the container, thecontainer should be moved in the direction generally indicated by thearrow 33 shown in FIG. 3. Whereupon, the container 20 will be disengagedfrom the probe 17, and the container-piercing device 1 will be returnedto an idle position as shown in FIG. 2 because of the simultaneousurging of the spring 13 and the helical tension spring 34 whichinterconnects the stand 2 and the housing 7. Since the flexible tubing31 remains connected to the disc extension 32, some of the conveyedfluid may remain in the probe chamber 27 after removal of the container20. To prevent evaporation of this residual fluid and to prevent leakageof the same from the probe chamber 27, the tubular extension 18 of thecup-like member 10 is provided with a spaced pair of interiorly locatedannular cavities 35 and 36 in which are respectively disposed O-ringsealing elements 37 and 38 of resilient material, such as a suitableartificial rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, the O-rings 37 and 38 exteriorlyembrace the probe 17 and are spaced on either side of the chamberopening 28 (when the container-piercing device 1 is disposed in the idleposition) to thereby effectively seal such chamber opening from ambientconditions. Moreover, when the container-piercing device 1 is disposedin the idle position the spring 13 and the shoulder portions 14 and 15of the cup 10 and the housing 7 cooperate with each other to yieldablyretain the probe end 23 at a location adjacent the cup opening 16 and toyieldably retain the chamber opening 28 located between the O-rings 37and 38.

It will now be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the artthat there has been described a preferred embodiment ofcontainer-piercing apparatus which, according to a particular novelaspect of the present invention, is self-centerin g relative to apredetermined location on any one of a plurality of containers whichrespectively differ in size. For example, should an operator desire touse the container-piercing device 1 with a container (not shown) whoseneck portion is of a diameter greater or less than the diameter of thecontainer neck portion 22, there is no impediment to such use as in thecase of the prior art described hereinbefore. Furthermore, while theprobe 17 has been described as being supported on the table 19 instationary relation to the container 20 which is moved into engagementwith the probe; it will also be appreciated that the container-piercingdevice 1 could be modified (not shown) so that the container is securedto the table and the device, with the exception of the table, issupported for movement along the table toward such a secured container.

The present invention has been described in considerable detail withparticular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will beunderstood that variations and modifications can be effected within thescope and spirit of such invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for piercing a container at a predetermined location, saidapparatus comprising:

a piercing member including a longitudinal axis; and

means for centering said piercing member with respect to a predeterminedlocation on a container;

said centering means including:

a. means defining a cam surface;

b. first means for supporting said piercing member and said cam surfacedefining means for movement of one relative to the other along a firstpath substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and so that saidcam surface is inclined with respect to said axis; and

c. second means for supporting said piercing.

member and said cam surface defining means for movement along a secondpath transverse to said first path.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said cam surface definingmeans includes:

means defining an inwardly tapered hollow for receiving at least aportion ofa container and having an innermost region; and

means defining an opening into said innermost region for admitting saidpiercing member into said hollow to engage a container portion receivedtherein.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said first supporting meansincludes:

means for supporting said piercing member and said cam surface definingmeans so that said longitudinal axis extends through said opening intosaid innermost region of said hollow defining means.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for supporting said centering means and a container for movementof one relative to the other along said first path.

5. Container-piercing apparatus for piercing a container at apredetermined location on the same, said apparatus comprising:

a piercing member including a longitudinal axis; and

means for centering said piercing member with respect to a predeterminedlocation on a container;

said centering means including:

a. means defining a cam surface;

b. means for supporting said piercing member in stationary relation tosaid cam surface defining means and so that said longitudinal axisextends in a container-piercing direction;

0. means for supporting said cam surface defining means for movementalong a first path substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis andso that said cam surface is inclined with respect to said axis; and d.means for supporting said piercing member and said cam surface definingmeans for movement as a unit along a second path transverse to saidfirst path. 6. Container-piercing apparatus as recited in claim 5,further comprising:

guide means for supporting a container for movement along said firstpath; means for supporting said centering means in stationary relationto a container supported by said guide means. 7. Apparatus for piercinga container, said apparatus comprising:

a piercing member including a pointed free end; means defining aninwardly tapered hollow for receiving at least a portion of a containerand including an innermost region means defining an opening into saidinnermost region for admitting said piercing member into said hollow;first means for supporting said piercing member and said hollow definingmeans for movement of one relative to the other along a first path sothat said region opening receives said piercing member in a directionenabling said pointed free end of said member to engage a containerportion located within said hollow; and second means for supporting saidpiercing member and said hollow defining means for movement as a unitalong a second path transverse to said first path. 8. Apparatus asrecited in claim 7, further comprising:

means for yieldably retaining said piercing member and said hollowdefining means at locations with respect to each other such that saidpointed free end of said member is disposed adjacent said regionopening. 9. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein: said hollowdefining means includes a substantially conical surface disposed to seata container portion received in said hollow; and said first supportingmeans includes means for supporting said conical surface substantiallyaxially in alignment with said first path. 10. Apparatus for piercing acontainer, said apparatus comprising:

an elongate piercing member including a pointed free end; means definingan inwardly tapered hollow for receiving at least a portion of acontainer and including an innermost region; means defining a centrallylocated opening into said innermost region for longitudinally admittingsaid piercing member into said hollow; first means for supporting saidpiercing member in stationary relation to said hollow defining means;second means for supporting said hollow defining means for movementalong said piercing member so that said region opening longitudinallyreceives said piercing member in a direction enabling said pointed freeend of said member to engage a container portion located within saidhollow;

third means for supporting said piercing member and said hollow definingmeans includes a substantially said hollow defining means fOl' movementas a unit conical surface disposed to eat a container po along a pathtransverse to said direction; and i received in i hollow; and

gulde means for Supporting a ,comainer for said first supporting meansincludes means for supmerit along a path substantially parallel to saiddirection to facilitate receipt of a container porpqmng saidponiqal jsubstantially axially in tion in said hollow alignment with saidpiercing member.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein:

1. Apparatus for piercing a container at a predetermined location, saidapparatus comprising: a piercing member including a longitudinal axis;and means for centering said piercing member with respect to apredetermined location on a container; said centering means including:a. means defining a cam surface; b. first means for supporting saidpiercing member and said cam surface defining means for movement of onerelative to the other along a first path substantially parallel to saidlongitudinal axis and so that said cam surface is inclined with respectto said axis; and c. second means for supporting said piercing memberand said cam surface defining means for moveMent along a second pathtransverse to said first path.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1,wherein said cam surface defining means includes: means defining aninwardly tapered hollow for receiving at least a portion of a containerand having an innermost region; and means defining an opening into saidinnermost region for admitting said piercing member into said hollow toengage a container portion received therein.
 3. Apparatus as recited inclaim 2, wherein said first supporting means includes: means forsupporting said piercing member and said cam surface defining means sothat said longitudinal axis extends through said opening into saidinnermost region of said hollow defining means.
 4. Apparatus as recitedin claim 1, further comprising: means for supporting said centeringmeans and a container for movement of one relative to the other alongsaid first path.
 5. Container-piercing apparatus for piercing acontainer at a predetermined location on the same, said apparatuscomprising: a piercing member including a longitudinal axis; and meansfor centering said piercing member with respect to a predeterminedlocation on a container; said centering means including: a. meansdefining a cam surface; b. means for supporting said piercing member instationary relation to said cam surface defining means and so that saidlongitudinal axis extends in a container-piercing direction; c. meansfor supporting said cam surface defining means for movement along afirst path substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and so thatsaid cam surface is inclined with respect to said axis; and d. means forsupporting said piercing member and said cam surface defining means formovement as a unit along a second path transverse to said first path. 6.Container-piercing apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising:guide means for supporting a container for movement along said firstpath; means for supporting said centering means in stationary relationto a container supported by said guide means.
 7. Apparatus for piercinga container, said apparatus comprising: a piercing member including apointed free end; means defining an inwardly tapered hollow forreceiving at least a portion of a container and including an innermostregion means defining an opening into said innermost region foradmitting said piercing member into said hollow; first means forsupporting said piercing member and said hollow defining means formovement of one relative to the other along a first path so that saidregion opening receives said piercing member in a direction enablingsaid pointed free end of said member to engage a container portionlocated within said hollow; and second means for supporting saidpiercing member and said hollow defining means for movement as a unitalong a second path transverse to said first path.
 8. Apparatus asrecited in claim 7, further comprising: means for yieldably retainingsaid piercing member and said hollow defining means at locations withrespect to each other such that said pointed free end of said member isdisposed adjacent said region opening.
 9. Apparatus as recited in claim7, wherein: said hollow defining means includes a substantially conicalsurface disposed to seat a container portion received in said hollow;and said first supporting means includes means for supporting saidconical surface substantially axially in alignment with said first path.10. Apparatus for piercing a container, said apparatus comprising: anelongate piercing member including a pointed free end; means defining aninwardly tapered hollow for receiving at least a portion of a containerand including an innermost region; means defining a centrally locatedopening into said innermost region for longitudinally admitting saidpiercing member into said hollow; first means for supporting saidpiercing member in stationary relation to saId hollow defining means;second means for supporting said hollow defining means for movementalong said piercing member so that said region opening longitudinallyreceives said piercing member in a direction enabling said pointed freeend of said member to engage a container portion located within saidhollow; third means for supporting said piercing member and said hollowdefining means for movement as a unit along a path transverse to saiddirection; and guide means for supporting a container for movement alonga path substantially parallel to said direction to facilitate receipt ofa container portion in said hollow.
 11. Apparatus as recited in claim10, wherein: said hollow defining means includes a substantially conicalsurface disposed to seat a container portion received in said hollow;and said first supporting means includes means for supporting saidconical surface substantially axially in alignment with said piercingmember.